Viva la Vida is a nonprofit inspiring reflection on life’s purpose and connection through art.
"My painting is the most honest expression of myself"
— Frida Kahlo
Original story
From Frida Kahlo’s Inspiration to
a Global Art Movement
In 2018, founder Xiaoning was deeply moved by a painting inscribed with “Viva la Vida” on a watermelon at Frida Kahlo’s Blue House in Mexico.
This sparked a street experiment in Mexico City, where passersby were invited to answer “What is your life?” through drawings. In just four hours, nearly 70 people transcended language barriers to express their reflections.
The initiative expanded into a global movement across 60+ countries, using art to connect humanity through shared stories of life’s purpose.
Core mission
Exploring Life’s Meaning Through Art
Centered on “Drawing Your Life,” VIVA collects tens of thousands of life drawings via street experiments, online galleries, and exhibitions, showcasing diverse cultural and individual perspectives.
Collaborations with the United Nations, World Economic Forum, and other institutions integrate art with social impact, focusing on mental health and inclusivity for refugees, children, women, and marginalized communities.
UN Collaborations
Global Advocacy & Social Impact
1. UN Exhibitions:
Hosted impactful exhibitions like “Invisible Children” at UN offices, highlighting underprivileged youth.
2. High-Level Events:
As the UN Department of Global Communications’ exclusive partner, VIVA co-hosted China’s pre-events for the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference and “China Night” in Kenya.
3. Sustainable Development:
Partnered with UNDP to launch the INSPIRO Network, uniting tech entrepreneurs from China and Europe to drive solutions aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Brand Collaborations
Cross-Sector Innovation & Social Responsibility
1. City Partnerships:
Collaborated with Novazzano (Switzerland) and Parma (Italy) to envision future communities through art-driven dialogues.
2. Corporate Synergy:
Partnered with Coca-Cola, ByteDance, and others to host AI-art workshops, fostering team cohesion and creative corporate cultures.
3. Charity Fund:
Co-founded with 100+ Olympic champions, the VIVA Charity Fund supports art therapy programs for underprivileged children.
AI Innovation
In collaboration with 100 Olympic Champions, VIVA Charity Fund is dedicated to promoting mental well-being for underprivileged children through power of art.
In collaboration with 100 Olympic Champions, VIVA Charity Fund is dedicated to promoting mental well-being for underprivileged children through power of art.
Viva la Vida design education programs focusing on cross-cultural leadership and community service. Young people from middle school, high school, and colleges are our general participants. They will be guided by professional mentors to design a social project focusing on a marginalized group, implement the project, host an exhibition about the project at the United Nations Office of Geneva, and present the project to the United Nations officers.
VIVA AI Canvas: Unleashing Creativity
Launched in 2022, the AI Canvas uses generative AI to transform simple sketches into art, empowering individuals to express themselves regardless of artistic skill.
Integrated into team-building workshops, online galleries, and charity initiatives, this tool bridges creativity and social connection.
Viva la Vida ———
Illuminating Life’s Infinite Possibilities Through Art.
VIVA volunteers, a diverse global group of thousands of individuals, help expand the organization’s influence by collecting unique stories through art, and building connections across cultures.
VIVA volunteers, a diverse global group of thousands of individuals, help expand the organization’s influence by collecting unique stories through art, and building connections across cultures.
Viva la Vida hosts art workshops as a team-building solution. We design the workshop based on various academic research in psychology, art therapy, management theory, etc. It aims at establishing more authentic and meaningful connections within the team. The artwork created through the workshop can also become a testimony of the team culture. Our past clients includes Facebook and Bytedance.